MARLBOROUGH Heading north for Rockhampton on our way to Mackay, our first’s town is Marlborough. Marl’ is a very small town that requires the traveler to leave the Bruce Highway and take the exit. That exit is a minor road that takes the traveler to Marlborough. This is a very small town. Marlborough was first established in 1856, as a small service centre for the surrounding area, and one of a number of fuelling points on an otherwise isolated stretch of highway. To the south lies the Kunwarara Magnesite mine, which works one of the world's largest supplies of the mineral. The town has a school with only a few students. They compete Marlborough is famous for producing the world's finest chrysoprase, a semi-precious gem once coveted by Alexander the Great and Cleopatra. The small but high-grade deposit is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-south-west of the township and is universally regarded as the most valuable find in the world. Bustout did not investigate this gem factor. The Marlborough War Memorial is simple. The treatment of the Vietnam fallen is a credit to the park admin. The Museum is great. The Churches are modern structures. The Marlborough Hotel is a time honoured institution with many a yarn to relate. Marlborough has the museum and pub to tempt us. The diversion will not be wasted.